Spiritual tourism in Kerala – a journey of body, mind and soul

A rejuvenated body and soul is something that every traveller loves to possess if within the reach. Kerala is a land that has always attracted a number of tourists, mostly families who have a great interest in what the tour operators like Gogeo holidays love to call ‘spiritual tourism’. spiritual tourism could be called a sector of tourism which includes destinations that contains all that a tourist come to experience in Kerala, like an escape from their busy, conservative life and an inner peace. With passing time and the increasing popularity of spiritual tourism, a number of companies emerged allowing the families enjoy the spiritualism of Kerala by offering different Kerala tour packages for family. Reports from the past years suggest that a number of families have visited Kerala availing different spiritual trust packages and now exhibits a trend where there is a gradual increase in the ratio at which families visit the state. There are a number of tour promoters who take initiative in arranging and organising occasional packages and fantabulous spiritual tours including destinations like holy places and health tourist destinations like meditation and yoga centres. Some of the beast spiritual tourism destinations in Kerala which are mostly visited by families from almost all religions of the country are given below.

Sabarimala Temple:

The temple is one of the most important pilgrim destinations in Kerala which is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. This temple located in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala is a hill shrine which is set at an altitude of about 914 meters above the sea level on the fascinating mountain ranges of the Western Ghats. The place is one of the best destinations where travellers could experience the true feel of rejuvenation and peacefulness to mind. The pilgrims visiting the place should go for a 4km trekking from the Pamba so as to reach the shrine. Even though the temple allows believers from all cast and creed inside the premises, entry for women from the age of 10 to 50 is controlled in this holy place. The temple opens only from the month of November to Mid-January during Mandalakalam and will remain closed the rest of the year. A number of believers from around the world visit the temple during the Mandalakalam so as to offer the prayers and to watch the Makaravilakku and Mandalapooja. Pilgrims visiting the temple could even hire a taxi to the temple. One of the major advantages of the pilgrims visiting this temple is that it is easy for them to find transportation until Pamba.

Kerala is not just a land which is known for the presence of historically constructed temples, but also a land which is known for the presence of sacred tourist destinations for Christian. The state boasts of having a number of ancient churches with ancient style of architecture. These churches to the south of the country are must-visit destinations for travellers who are interested in enjoying a spiritual holiday in Kerala. The St. Mary’s Forane Church located at Kuravilangad is one such must-visit destination for Christian pilgrims visiting Kerala to enjoy a spiritual tour. The church is mostly visited by family due to its location which is close to the very famous backwater destination Alleppey. The church built in 355 AD, houses a fascinating statue of Blessed Virgin Mary which is carved from granite enshrines within the church. One of the main attractions of the church is the presence of an old bell with ancient unknown inscriptions. Families visiting the church offer coconut oil in the lamps which are set at a block made of granite to the front of the church. The model of a ship made of wood also acts as the primary attraction of the church

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Kottayam

Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple:

The Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, which is located at Alleppey, is one of the very famous Hindu pilgrim destinations in Kerala which is known for the delicious Palpayasam, which is served as offering among the believers visiting the temple. The famous and delicious Palpayasam is a sweet milk porridge which is made of rice, sugar and milk, the payasam could be said as a dream sweet of every Hindu devotee visiting the temple. This temple dedicated to Lord Krishna is located in the heart of the city called Ambalappuzha in the district of Alappuzha. This temple which is located about 14km from Alleppey houses Lord Krishna as Parthasarathy and mostly known as Unnikannan. One of the main attractions of the temple is the presence of an idol of Sree Krishna holding a conch to the left hand and a whip to the right hand carved in a black granite stone. An annual festival is held at this temple every year at the month of March and April which would last for a minimum of 10 days. A number of families visit the temple during this festival to enjoy the festive flavour and to seek blessings from the lord.

Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Alappuzha

The Beemapalli Mosque:

Kerala is not just a land which is known for the presence of elegant churches and temples but a land which is known for the presence of the beautiful mosque. The Beemapalli Mosque which is located on the outskirts of the capital city, Thiruvananthapuram is one of the most popular pilgrim centres for Muslims in Kerala. The Mosque located about 12 kilometres from the capital city Trivandrum is known among the Muslims for its annual Urus. This famous mosque is dedicated to a woman called Beema Umma who was believed to possess magical powers. It is believed among the locals that the women arrived from Mecca and was one among the members of Prophet Mohammed’s family. Devotees visiting this mosque offer silk, oil and flowers to the women. One of the main attractions of the mosque is the Chandanakudam Festival which is celebrated for a minimum of 10 days which the devotees celebrate with colours and joy. A number of devotees visit the place with offerings irrespective of the cast and creeds so as to offer prayer.

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala being a rapidly developing spiritual tourist destination which is most visited and explored by families is now a land known as the best destination for pilgrims from all creeds and cast. Promoting the trend of families to visit these spiritual tourist destinations as a number of new Kerala family holiday packagesare organised to these spiritual destinations of Kerala. One of the main aims of the Kerala tourism department in organising budget spiritual tour packages is with the primary aim to promote spiritual tourism in the land. Kerala being land with an abundance of temples, churches and mosque is one of the best destinations to the south of India for spiritual tourism.